Category Archives: Under 30 Minutes Delicacies!

Avarekai Pulao, avarekai rotti, avarekai saaru, avarekai sweet are just a few of the dishes made from the humble broad bean or avarekai during winter. Rich in protein and fibre, broad beans are highly nutritious and apparently, are popular on weight loss menus. Well, if you ask me, who really cares about how good they are for your health when they are just so darn delicious! Continue reading

I know the name seems long…. “Boiled peanuts masala chaat”; but, unlike the name, the recipe is super short, I promise! An after schools snack or a side to go with tea or munchies with your beer, this ultimate street food aka boiled peanuts masala chaat is a combo of 3 delicacies – boiled peanuts (need I say more?), peanuts masala (peanuts with a sprinkling of Indian spices) and a chaat (tangy, spicy street food of India). Continue reading

Matar paneer; While it is one of the most basic Indian curries, it can get complicated and elude some of you but with this matar paneer recipe, not only will you be able to whip up some soft flavorful paneer (not chewy, not rubbery but soft and spongy), you can make curry in such a hurry, you will soon be nicknamed the curry-king (or queen)! Continue reading

Masala idli is a variation of the South Indian staple, idli, with veggies, spices and seasoning, all, in it. Soft, spongy, steamed food that is light on your stomach, idli makes the most ideal breakfast. Not only because of it’s nutritional value (with lentils and fermented rice and makes it low carb), idli can also be made ahead of time and re-heated to the perfect spongy texture in about 30 seconds! This masala idli recipe is a no-brainer entry in your book of healthy breakfast recipes. Continue reading

Ivy gourd chutney is not only delicious but also a very healthy side that can be served with bread or rice of your choice. Mostly serve with dosa (Indian crepes), chutney tends to be rich in calories but this ivy gourd chutney recipe eliminates that and provides a base to be substituted with any other vegetable making this a SUPER RECIPE (one recipe, many forms)! Continue reading

Pasta arrabiata is a classic simple pasta dish that any Italian-food novice can make in a jiffy too. With some simple tricks to cook the pasta perfectly and to make the sauce thick enough to give a glossy, shiny coat to the pasta, you will soon be dishing out pasta like that in a restaurant! One of the pasta recipes that I recommend for beginners, pasta arrabiata is a fiery pasta recipe with a generous amount of chili flakes and a ton of makes-you-go-yum flavors in it. Continue reading

French bread & Greek toppings make up this Italian antipasti, Bruschetta (an open-faced mini-sandwich). This recipe for Greek Bruschetta calls for feta cheese, olives, sweet peppers and chili oil. The ingredients complement each other like little locks and keys. To make cooking simple, you need to understand the flavor and texture of ingredients. Once you begin to understand that, you can create gourmet meals in your own kitchen, because then, You don’t hesitate to substitute. If tamarind adds that acidic tartness, so does lemon or vinegar. The end product will not have the EXACT same flavors or colors but your… Continue reading

A fennel salad can make a healthy yet delicious addition to your summer meals. Well, any season for that matter but I find the addition of cherry tomatoes and lime in the dressing, a boon for summer! While fennel bulbs are not a part of your everyday grocery store, you should be able to find them in farmers markets and specialty grocery stores. When you do find it, do not pass up the chance to explore a new vegetable and its great flavor. Continue reading

Kodbele (code-bay-lay) is a simple gluten-free, crunchy, buttermilk and flour snack. And no, they are not onion rings although their appearance screams otherwise! For those of you who have not read my About section, my mom has influenced my cooking significantly. I have a few recipes on the blog which are exactly how she makes them. This eggplant rice here and this radish dip here are a couple of examples; and now Kodbele. The reason I am bringing my mom up in this blog post is because she used to pack these kodbele for my lunch sometimes. You can understand… Continue reading

Tomato Slice Chaat, described in its simplest way is the love child of skinny canapés and Indian street food, Chaat. As healthy as but tastier than, your diet-salad-dinner, it can also be refreshing for a hot summer afternoon. Easy to assemble, serve this healthy Indian appetizer and watch your guests be surprised as they enjoy this delicious tomato slice chaat. Continue reading